Welcome to Close Call Sports. CCS objectively tracks and analyzes close and controversial calls in sport, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game. Developed from The Left Field Corner: MLB Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (UEFL), whose purpose is to objectively track and analyze umpire ejections, video instant replay reviews and their corresponding calls, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Ejections: Paul Emmel (2)

2B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Cubs Manager Mike Quade for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the White Sox-Cubs game. With none out and two on, Cubs batter Alfonso Soriano hit a 0-0 changeup from White Sox pitcher Philip Humber to third baseman Brent Morel, to second baseman Gordon Beckham, to first baseman Paul Konerko for a double play. Replays indicate Beckham failed to possess the ball while in contact with second base, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s second ejection of 2011.
Paul Emmel now has 2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 2)
Paul Emmel is owned as a Primary Umpire by ump_78, who is now tied for 29th place in the UEFL with 2 points.
Paul Emmel is owned as a Secondary Umpire by RichMSN, who is now in 18th place in the UEFL with 7 points.

This is the 101st ejection of 2011.
This is the 53rd Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Mike Quade's third ejection of 2011.

13
comments
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There's a difference in my opinion between a "neighborhood call" and this one. If the throw from third was a good one and didn't force Beckham to leave the area of 2B in this play, I would have no problem with an out call, even if there was no contact with the base. However, on this play, Beckham left the vicinity of the bag in order to catch a bad throw. When the defense messes up part of the play (in this case the throw), you cannot bail them out by giving them a "neighborhood call" out. This is about calling the play as everyone in the park expects it to be called. When a bad throw was made and it made Beckham leave the bag, everyone expected to see a safe. That's why sh*t hit the fan here.

Usually this site is right on the money. You guy's tell it like it is. Umpires are treated fairly here. But on this call, either you guys are younger umpires, or don't understand the neighborhood play. This was told to me by a "pro". The player need not have the bag, IF the play is wide open, period. 2 reasons were given to me, the first is safety, the second is history of the game. That's the way it's been called forever. Does anybody really think the umpire did not see the second baseman standing 3 feet away from the bag? I mean C'mon! This wasn't a bad call, however I don't expect most people to understand this. The question now is....... was it really a bad call? I think the umpire knew exactly what he was doing, the call was correct.

@anonymous 5:50pm I think if you take another look at the play, the throw really didn't take him away from the bag. He's feet actually did contact the bag, and he could have made the catch and had the bag. I think your points are valid, but your points to not describe the actual play. The throw was not as bad as you have said. It was a real neighborhood play, the call was correct.

This no where near the neighborhood. This is the other side of town play. It does not matter how open a play is you still have to have been close to the bag when you catch the ball. The 2b has completely released the bag before the ball arrives, an easy safe, off the bag call. I do not care how long you have been umpiring or at what level, that play should never be an out. It is absurd that any of you would want to protect a guy who is clearly wrong.

@anon at 11:39...Really...A player need not have the bag. Safety my butt, if he doesn't like it, he can bail out or not even attempt throw to 1st. There is no reason to move towards the runner for "safety". Just because it's "been that way forever" doesn't mean it's right.

There is a difference between jumping to the side of the bag to prevent the runner from sliding hard, but almost grazing the bag with your foot as you catch the ball, and getting pulled 4 feet off of it, into the path of the runner no less, so you cant say this one is for safety. Call was completely blown by the umpires

Did anybody see rookie umpire Mark Ripperger end the Braves-Orioles game with a ring up of Chipper Jones? Look at this pitch f/x!http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=276514&game=gid_2011_07_03_balmlb_atlmlb_1&batterX=80&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif